Values in Space and Time a Framework for Understanding And
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Values in Space and Time A framework for understanding and linking multiple cultural values in landscapes Janet Stephenson A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. April 2005 ABSTRACT When new development threatens a valued landscape it is not just the physical landscape that is being affected, but the collective memories, meanings and identities that the landscape holds. Planning theory and practice currently offer relatively little guidance as to how to address meaning and value, particularly at a landscape scale. Recent literature from a variety of disciplines has stressed the need to develop holistic models of understanding landscape. Particular emphasis has been laid on the absence of integration of disciplinary approaches, and the need to involve communities in defining what is important and distinctive about their own landscapes. The thesis sets out to develop a conceptual framework to assist in understanding multiple cultural values in landscapes. Although the primary focus of the research is to address the perceived shortcomings in planning theory and practice, its potential relevance to inter-disciplinary work also forms a major component of the research approach. Values in landscapes include those expressed by associated communities and those identified through a variety of disciplinary approaches. Using case studies, the research explores the nature and range of landscape values as expressed by those with special associations with particular landscapes. It also examines the nature of the meanings and values ascribed by disciplines with an interest in landscape, and how various disciplines model landscape so as to convey these values. Analysis of these findings generates a landscape framework consisting of two related models. The Cultural Values Model offers a conceptual structure with which to consider the surface and embedded values of landscapes in terms of forms, practices and relationships. The Dimensional Landscape Model provides a structured way of linking expressed values to the landscape, using dimensional concepts of nodes, networks, spaces, webs and layers. The landscape framework is found to be useful not only for generating a comprehensive picture of key landscape values, but also in offering an integrated approach that has utility both for planners and for other landscape-related disciplines. ii PREFACE I have long been interested in the attachments between people and place. I was first made particularly aware of the cultural significance of the landscape when I worked as a planner in the Far North of New Zealand. New perspectives were provided through my work with the NZ Historic Places Trust, which supported me in exploring this issue within a heritage context. In 2002 I was chosen as the New Zealand representative at a month-long workshop on cultural landscapes at the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property in Rome. While there, I realised that the conceptual problems that had plagued me when attempting to understand landscape values were not mine alone. Catalysed by the experience, I decided I would like to examine the problem in some depth. This thesis is the result. Thanks are due to many people and organisations for their support during this academic expedition. The Otago branch of the NZ Geographical Society offered me the first public forum in which to test some ideas, which gave me the courage to take them further. UNESCO New Zealand, the NZ Historic Places Trust, Opus International and the University of Otago all assisted me in attending the Rome workshop. The Department of Conservation and the NZ Historic Places Trust, who separately engaged me to carry out landscape-related research, both kindly allowed me to use some of this material within my thesis. During the research process, the tangata whenua and communities of the Bannockburn and Akaroa study areas welcomed me warmly, and provided inspiration and many cups of tea. My fellow PhD students, particularly Lucille, Sue and Sophie, were a great support and sounding-board. Everlasting thanks go to Judy Reinken, Heather Bauchop and Janine McVeagh for ploughing through the final draft to pick up those hard-to-find errors. To my supervisors, Claire Freeman, Ian Smith and Michael Reilly: your advice, wisdom and belief have made this a dream run. Finally, to my family – Guy, Erin and Bron – my tenacity was founded in your love, your support and your unwavering certainty that I could do this. Thank you. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ...................................................................................................................... ii Preface ....................................................................................................................... iii Table of contents ....................................................................................................... iv List of tables .............................................................................................................. ix List of figures ..............................................................................................................x Glossary of Māori terms .......................................................................................... xii PART I: SETTING THE SCENE CHAPTER 1: LANDSCAPES AND THEIR VALUES 1.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................1 1.2 The problem ....................................................................................................3 1.3 The role of planning in landscape management .............................................6 1.4 The research question ...................................................................................11 1.5 The meaning of ‘landscape’ and ‘cultural values’ ........................................12 1.5.1 Landscape ..........................................................................................12 1.5.2 Culture ................................................................................................16 1.5.3 Values ................................................................................................17 1.5.4 Cultural values ...................................................................................18 1.6 Structure of the thesis....................................................................................20 1.6.1 Part I: Setting the scene (Chapters 1-3) .............................................20 1.6.2 Part II: Developing the framework (Chapters 4-7) ............................21 1.6.3 Part III: Testing the models (Chapter 8) ............................................22 1.6.4 Part IV: Drawing conclusions (Chapters 9-10) ..................................22 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF PLANNING LITERATURE 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................25 2.2 The development of planning thought ..........................................................26 2.2.1 Enlightenment and rationalism ..........................................................27 2.2.2 Post-positivism ...................................................................................29 2.2.3 Post-positivist approaches to space ....................................................30 2.2.4 Post-positivist approaches to knowledge and community .................33 2.2.5 Landscape in urban design .................................................................36 2.2.6 Sustainability......................................................................................40 2.2.7 Discussion ..........................................................................................41 2.3 Applied approaches to landscape assessment ...............................................43 2.3.1 The significance of landscapes to communities .................................43 2.3.2 Common forms of landscape assessment ..........................................46 2.3.3 Landscape quality assessments ..........................................................47 2.3.4 ‘Natural’ values of landscapes ...........................................................48 2.3.5 ‘Heritage’ values of landscapes .........................................................49 2.3.6 Example: the planning context in New Zealand ................................54 iv 2.4 Towards an integrated approach ...................................................................59 2.5 Conclusion ....................................................................................................60 CHAPTER 3: THE RESEARCH DESIGN 3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................65 3.2 Theoretical influences on the research design ..............................................66 3.3 Development of the research design .............................................................69 3.3.1 The nature of the research ..................................................................69 3.3.2 The scope of the research ...................................................................72 3.3.3 Sources of information .......................................................................74 3.4 Overview of the research process .................................................................76 3.5 Research design for Sub-question 1 ..............................................................81